We regularly discuss Darfur with the Chinese Government, including at the UN. We want China to use its influence with the Sudanese Government to ensure Khartoum supports the deployment of joint UN peacekeeping forces in Darfur, as well as committing to a ceasefire and renewed political process. We gave this message to the Chinese Government before President Hu’s visit to Africa earlier this year. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Sudan with the Chinese Government during her trip there last month, as did my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister during his visit to China in April.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Chinese Government about Burma. However, she urged China, in a speech to the Central Party School, to use its influence to improve the situation in Burma when she visited Beijing on 17 May. I discussed the human rights situation in Burma with the Chinese Government on 20 June 2006 and again during my visit to Beijing in July 2006.